Rob Evans left out of Wales’ World Cup squad

Wales have named their 2019 Rugby World Cup squad, with prop Rob Evans the shock omission from their 31-man squad heading to Japan.

Youngster Rhys Carre, who made his debut against Ireland on Saturday, has been selected ahead of Evans.

Tighthead Samson Lee also misses out, while Owen Watkin is preferred to the experienced Scott Williams and Rhys Patchell gets the nod over Jarrod Evans as the reserve fly-half.

Five props have been named in Nicky Smith, Wyn Jones, Carre, Tomas Francis and Dillon Lewis.

Ken Owens, who is heading to his third RWC, Elliot Dee and Ryan Elias are included as the three hookers in the squad.

Captain Alun Wyn Jones, who has featured in three RWCs and played in 15 tournament matches, is one of four second-rows alongside Jake Ball, Adam Beard and Cory Hill.

Wales have named six back-rows in James Davies, Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Aaron Shingler, Justin Tipuric and Aaron Wainwright.

Gareth Davies, Aled Davies and Tomos Williams are named as the scrum-halves with Dan Biggar and Patchell as the fly-halves.

From the club to the global stage, the honour of making Wales' @rugbyworldcup squad announcement falls to the players' community clubs 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Braint rhoi'r llwyfan i'n clybiau cymunedol, a enwebwyd gan y chwaraewyr eu hun. #HWFN pic.twitter.com/YHZKdDXGb3

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@WelshRugbyUnion) September 1, 2019

Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes and Watkin feature as the centres in the squad with Josh Adams, Hallam Amos, Leigh Halfpenny, George North and Liam Williams included as the back three selections.

“Selection is always the toughest part of the job and that is especially true come RWC time,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“Reducing the squad down to 31 has been extremely hard especially when you look at the depth we have created and the amount of the work the training squad have put in, for some, 14 weeks of training.

“We are really happy with the final 31, we feel there is an excellent blend to the squad, in terms of talent, experience and age profile and we are all incredibly excited about heading to Japan and what lies ahead.

“These players have performed and delivered for Wales and deserve the opportunity to represent their nation at the game’s showpiece tournament.”

Wales’ 2019 World Cup squad

Forwards: Jake Ball, Adam Beard, Rhys Carre, James Davies, Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Ken Owens, Aaron Shingler, Nicky Smith, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright

Backs: Josh Adams, Hallam Amos, Dan Biggar, Aled Davies, Gareth Davies, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Hadleigh Parkes, Rhys Patchell, Owen Watkin, Tomos Williams, Liam Williams